Early Childhood Community Network Pilots
Model and Expected Results
1 Model for Community Network Pilots:
Programs in
network agree to
high standards
measured by
common program
and child
assessments
State provides
training, coaching
and support (e.g.
online resources)
on new standards
and assessments
Community
networks
coordinate efforts
and resources to
help all programs
and professionals
meet new
standards
State provides
access to
information on
quality of
interactions in
classrooms and
how children are
progressing
Community
networks use
information to help
professionals
improve practice
Program quality
and child outcomes
improve across the
network
Community Network Pilots are expected to achieve the following:
• Replicable models for building sustainable community capacity
• Professionals improve skills and demonstrate progress on assessments of teacher/child interactions and instruction
• Children from age infant-to-age-five demonstrate growth on child assessments
• All programs accepting public funds participate in the new outcomes-based quality rating system and receive letter
grades by Spring 2015
• Every at-risk four-year-old is enrolled in a program by Fall 2015
• Families have easy access to information about early childhood education program quality and can enroll children
through unified application process, starting with four year olds for the 2014-2015 school year
• More at-risk infant-to-age-five children are served in high-quality inclusive settings by Spring 2015
• More children enter kindergarten ready for success by Fall 2015
Louisiana’s Early Childhood Programs
Child Eligibility Determination
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Topics to be Covered
1. Eligibility Criteria for LA 4, NSECD, and the
PreK Expansion Grant
2. Child Care Assistance Program
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Early Childhood Enrollment Requirements
Bulletin 140 mandates that Louisiana have locally-managed
enrollment systems that:
1. Coordinate Information: Families know of all available seats
− Inform families about the availability of publicly-funded programs
2. Coordinate Eligibility: Families easily know what programs
they qualify for
− Ensure families are referred to available publicly-funded programs
3. Coordinate Applications: Families apply to all programs
through one application
− Collect family preferences regarding enrollment choices
3. Match Based on Preference: Families enroll their child in
the highest ranked preference available
− Enroll children based on family preference so no one occupies more than
one seat
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Coordinated Eligibility Requirements
Bulletin 140 mandates that Louisiana have locally-managed
enrollment systems that:
2. Coordinate Eligibility: Families easily know what programs
they qualify for
− Ensure families are referred to available publicly-funded
programs
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Definition of “At-Risk”
• Children in families with incomes at or below 185% of
the Federal Poverty Level are considered eligible for
free and reduced price lunch and are therefore
considered “at-risk.”
• Foster Children and Homeless Families are
automatically eligible for publicly-funded seats.
• Special Needs and ELL children may be eligible to
receive services but must still qualify to participate in
publicly-funded programs.
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PRE K ELIGIBILITY
DETERMINATION
Unifying
the Early Childhood
System
LA 4, NSECD, PreK Expansion Grant
Prekindergarten Program Eligibility Overview
Program-wide Eligibility Criteria
Age
Income
Immunizations
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Age Requirement
Children must be 4 years old by September 30 of their
prekindergarten year.
Use the child’s birth certificate to:
• Verify date of birth, and
• Verify that the person completing the application is the person
listed on the birth certificate.
OR
Verify court-issued documentation showing permanent or
temporary legal custody, such as
•
•
•
•
Custody Judgments
Child Placement Order from DCFS
Provisional Custody by Mandate
Military Power of Attorney
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Allowable Proof of Income
Parents must provide ONE of the following:
• Check Stubs
• SNAP/Food Stamps
• An official letter from your employer stating all of the following:
 Where parent/guardian is employed
 Hourly rate of pay
 The average number of hours parent/guardian works per week.
• Unemployment Benefits – must submit a Monetary Determination letter from the
Workforce Commission
• A statement from the Social Security Administration verifying that the child listed on the
application is a recipient of SSI benefits, which must be accompanied by two current check
stubs.
• Current foster care placement agreement from DCFS
• Parents who are homeless or unemployed must submit a letter of support and income
documentation from support source.
• Tax documentation is allowable only if no other form of income verification
documentation exists.
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Allowable Proof of Income
Check Stubs
Collect two (2) consecutive check stubs for the current year
(within 2 months from the date they are completing the
application) for each parent or caregiver in the home.
Eligibility is based on gross HOUSEHOLD income. Therefore,
if there are 2 or more adults contributing to the financial
needs of the family, all of them must provide proof of
income.
Income verification is ONLY based on the REGULAR or BASE
PAY rate.
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Income Limits
What does 185% of the Federal Poverty Level look like?
Federal Income Limits: 185% FPL
(Effective January 2016 for 2016-2017 Enrollment)
Family Size
1
2
3
4
5
6
Gross Annual Income
21,978.00
29,470.50
37,166.50
44,862.50
52,558.50
60,254.50
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Gross Monthly Income
$1,832
$2,470
$3,108
$3,746
$4,385
$5,023
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How to Translate Income Into a Monthly Figure
Monthly Income Calculation Table
Pay Period
Hourly
Monthly
(same gross pay each month)
Paid exactly 2 times per month
(e.g., 1st and 15th of month)
Formula
(Hourly wage x 40 hours per week)
x 4.33
Use gross salary
Gross salary x 2
Biweekly
(Gross salary ÷ 2) x 4.33
Weekly
Gross salary x 4.33
(same gross amount every 2 weeks)
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Calculating Monthly Income
 Income is most consistently and accurately calculated using the HOURLY
RATE formula.
 Gross income must be calculated using a 40-hour week.
Example: If Mrs. Smith provides a check stub showing an hourly rate of $19, you
will calculate it as ($19 x 40) x 4.33. Mrs. Smith’s monthly income is $3,290. She is
a single mom and has one child, (family size of 2), therefore she would NOT be
eligible.
 If the parent/guardian claims that they do not work 40 hours per week,
they will need to get a letter from their employer indicating how many
hours they work. You may then recalculate their income based on that
amount.
Example: You receive a letter which shows Mrs. Smith only works 20 hours per
week. You may calculate her income as ($19 x 20) x 4.33 which equals $1,645.40
which makes her child eligible.
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Example Check Stub Calculation #1
Use the income limit table and calculation formulas to determine if the following
family is eligible:
Ms. Sabrina has a family of 2.
$10 x 40 hours per week = $400 x 4.33 = $1,732 per month  ELIGIBLE
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Example Check Stub Calculation #2
Use the income limit table and calculation formulas to determine if the following
family is eligible:
Mr. Roland has a family of 6. He gets paid exactly twice a month. His wife
does not work.
$5,208.34 x 2 times per month = $10,416.34 per month  NOT ELIGIBLE
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Example Check Stub Calculation #3
Use the income limit table and calculation formulas to determine if the following
family is eligible:
Mr. Ricky has a family of 5. It has already been determined that his wife
makes $250 per week.
$807.69 per week x 4.33 = $3, 497.30 + $1,082.50 = $4,579.80 per month  NOT ELIGIBLE
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Allowable Proof of Income
Snap Benefits
 SNAP/Food Stamps:
 Families on SNAP are
automatically
eligible.
 Documentation must
include child's name and
effective dates. There
are several different
forms for this. The
Louisiana Purchase
card is not accepted as
valid proof that the
family is a SNAP
participant.
SNAP Change/Closure Letter will include an expiration date on the first
page and a list of included family members on the following pages.
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Snap Benefits
CAFÉ Case
Detail report
will include
current
certification
dates as well
as a list of
included
family
members.
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Unallowable Proof of Income
The following list includes items that ARE NOT allowable for
income verification:
× W-2 or 1099 forms OR tax returns as a primary source. These
may only be used if no other form of income documentation
exists.
× Medicaid Documentation (Income eligibility is 200%)
× Child Support as an independent source (UNLESS it is the
sole source of income AND is court ordered. MUST provide
court documents as well as a letter stating that no other
income is received.
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Immunization Requirements
Children must be current on all age-appropriate immunizations
pursuant to R.S 17:170.
School Entry Complete-Minimum:
• 4-DTP, 3-Polio (last DTP and Polio after 4th birthday),
• 2-MMR after 1st birthday
• 3-Hep B
*Child Care Center: Hib also required
** Beginning Aug 2003, Varicella (chicken pox) vaccine or
history of the disease is required for school and daycare entry.
Parents may claim exemption from the immunization
requirements due to medical, religious, or philosophical
reasons. The Statement of Exemption form must be submitted.
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LINKS Certificate Of Immunizations
Form must have a current
expiration date.
LINKS Website:
https://linksweb.oph.dhh.louisiana.gov
/linksweb/main.jsp
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Unifying
Early
Childhood
System
CHILDthe
CARE
ASSISTANCE
PROGRAM
Overview
Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP)- provides lowincome, working households with access to quality,
affordable child care that allows them to continue working
and contributes to the healthy, emotional and social
development of the child.
NOTES:
* Applies to children 12 and under
* Special Needs Children can receive assistance till the age of 18
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* Applies to children 12 and under
* Special Needs Child can receive benefits till the age of 18
Preliminary Eligibility
1. Are you responsible for paying child care costs for a child age 12 and under
or a child under 18 with a disability who lives with you?
2. Do you, your spouse, and any other caregivers of children who live in your
home, work or attend an educational or training program at least 30 hours a
week in combination?
– If not participating in one or a combination of these activities, do
these person’s receive disability income?
3. Is your household’s total monthly gross earned and unearned income less
than the amount listed below for your household size? (gross income refers
to income before any deductions from the paycheck)
2 persons
$2,150
4 persons
$3,162
6 persons
$4,173
8 persons
$4,363
3 persons
$2,656
5 persons
$3,668
7 persons
$4,268
9 persons
$4,458
If you answered YES to all of the above questions, you may be eligible for child care assistance.
*income limits are subject to change.
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How Do Families Qualify?
• Currently, households are required to pay a co-pay based
on a sliding scale. The amount of assistance is based on:
• family size
• gross income
• number of children in care
• the total number of hours all household adults work,
attend education or training program (minimum of 30
hours per week required)
• the maximum rates paid by the state
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Income Verification
All of the following may be used to verify
income:
• Last 4 check stubs
• Written statements from employer
• Tax Returns
• Wage Forms
• Prints outs (child support, SSI, employer,
etc.)
.
This is a preliminary determination only. The CCAP analyst may request additional
information. Only the Louisiana Department of Education can determine final eligibility.
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Current Rates
Child care provider Type
Regular
Care
Type III Early Learning
Center
School Child Care Center
$21.50
Regular Care for Special
Special Needs
Infants/Toddlers Needs Care Care Incentive
for
(under age 3)
Incentive
Infants/Toddlers
(under age 3)
$22.50
$25.65
$26.65
$15.00
$16.00
$18.50
$19.50
$15.00
$16.00
$18.50
$19.50
$14.50
$15.50
$17.90
$18.90
$21.50
$22.50
$25.65
$26.65
Family Child Care
Provider
In-Home Provider
Military Child Care
Centers
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CCAP Sliding Fee Scale
Current Payout %
Rate
CCAP Subsidy PreK
CCAP Subsidy –
Infant/Toddler
State Required CoPay
40%
$18.50
$19.50
$3
60%
$19.50
$20.50
$2
80-100%
$21.50
$22.50
0
STEP, Child Welfare, and Homeless families included in 100% Payout Rate
Co-pay is based on household income with three tiers - $3, $2, $0 per day The household is
required to pay the provider charge above the state rate.
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CCAP Sliding Fee Scale
$30.00
$26 cost
per day
estimate
$25.00
$20.00
Former
40%
$4.50
$3.00
Former
60%
$7.50
out-ofpocket
$4.50
$2.00
Former
80%
$6.50
out-ofpocket
$4.50
$4.50
out-ofpocket
$15.00
$10.00
$18.50
$19.50
165% FPL
135% FPL
$21.50
$5.00
$100% FPL FPL – Federal Poverty Level
Provider Charge
CCAP
Required Co-Pay
Co-pay is based on household income with three tiers - $3, $2, $0 per day The household
is required to pay the provider charge above the state rate.
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CCAP Application
Families wishing to apply online to the state for
CCAP should do so by visiting :
https://cafe-cp.doe.louisiana.gov/edselfservice/
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Application Processing
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Contact Information
For all questions related to prekindergarten programs:
Lindsey Bradford
(225) 219-9334
[email protected]
For all questions related to Child Care Assistance:
Telephone: 1.877.453.2721
Fax: 225.342.3906
Email: [email protected]
CCAP Household Eligibility
P.O. Box 260037
Baton Rouge, LA 70826
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Unifying theQEarly
Childhood
System
UESTIONS?